Optical recognition system for capsules for the production of hot beverages

ABSTRACT

A method for the optical recognition of capsules for hot beverages machines comprises the steps of introducing a capsule in a machine, stimulating the capsule by an exciting optical signal emitted by a light source, reading a feedback optical signal by an optical reader, acquisition of the values of the frequency and/or the time frame of the feedback optical signal, determining the fulfillment of predetermined conditions on the values of the frequency and/or the time frame. On the basis of the step of evaluating there is then a step of blocking the normal operation of the machine or a step of pursuing the normal operation of the machine.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage of International Application No.PCT/IB2017/052812, filed May 12, 2017, which claims the benefit ofpriority to Italian Application No. 102016000049084, filed May 12, 2016,in the Italian Patent and Trademark Office, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of hot beverage production bymeans of capsule.

In particular, the invention relates to a method for recognizingcapsules inserted in a machine for making such beverages.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

As well known, over the last few years domestic production of coffee andother hot drinks has spread by means of capsules to be inserted intomachines with special housings.

As is well known, machine makers relying on these systems need to makesure that the capsules to be inserted into their machines are suitableand meet predetermined quality requirements.

In fact, the use of capsules that do not meet the required standards mayvary unexpectedly the organoleptic properties of the finished productand may generate potential toxicity due to substances or slags releasedfrom the plastic material of which the capsules are generally composed.Also, the operation of the machine itself may be damaged, or at least itmay be wearier than what the machine manufacturer predicts, thusinvalidating the sales warranty.

Clearly, these issues negatively affect both the image of the machinemaker both, above all, the consumer's use of the product.

Therefore, in the prior art, markers have been proposed in order toidentify suitable products.

However, in the case of marking with a center point or an outer ring itis extremely easy for anyone to fool the system by marking anon-original capsule with a suitable fluorescent or phosphorescentmarker.

To mitigate this risk, more sophisticated systems with more complexmarkings have been conceived: for example, multiple concentric rings orbarcodes.

However, these systems are also easy to bypass by using a stamp or amarker with a template. Furthermore, it becomes unavoidable to use bothlighting and reading systems proportionally more complex and expensive,up to reaching the need, as in the case of barcodes, of proper imagesensors that also need software and processors that increase further thecost of the system, up to make it unusable on the easiest and cheapestmachines, which are the largest market segment and the one of moreinterest.

All these optical systems have then a strong vulnerability to splashesand dirty that inevitably accumulate in the reading area.

US2016325923A1 discloses a capsule for making drinks comprising a bodywith a base and a closure. Between the base and the upper closure it isarranged an identifier detectable by the machine where the capsule isinserted.

The problem of this type of control of the product is that theidentifier is located outside the capsule. This causes a plurality ofdrawbacks. First of all, the identifier may also be illicitly applied onunsuitable capsules according to the standards imposed by themanufacturer. In addition, being exposed to the outside, the identifiermay be accidentally removed, dirtied, or damaged before the capsule isinserted into the machine, causing problems also on suitable capsules.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a feature of the present invention to provide a methodfor the optical recognition of capsules for hot beverages machines thatis effective and not easy to bypass.

It is also a feature of the present invention to provide such a methodthat is not expensive and that can be easily installed also on alreadydesigned machines.

It is also a feature of the present invention to provide such a methodthat allows to recognize different types of capsules so that the type ofbeverage production can be varied based on the specific capsuleinserted.

These and other objects are achieved by a method for optical recognitionof capsules for hot beverages machines comprising the steps of:

-   -   marking the capsule with a recognition substance, said        recognition substance arranged to emit an optical signal at a        predetermined frequency B for a predetermined time frame K in        response to an excitation by an optical signal at a        predetermined frequency A and for a predetermined time frame H;    -   introducing the capsule in a hot beverages machine;    -   stimulating the capsule by an exciting optical signal emitted by        a light source of the machine, said exciting optical signal        being emitted at a predetermined frequency f₁=A and for a        predetermined time frame t₁=H;    -   reading a feedback optical signal by an optical reader of the        machine, said feedback optical signal being emitted by the        capsule at a frequency f₂ and for a time frame t₂;    -   acquiring the values of the frequency f₂ and/or the time frame        t₂ of the feedback optical signal;    -   evaluating the fulfillment of predetermined conditions on the        values of the frequency f₂ and/or the time frame t₂, said step        of evaluating being carried out by a control unit of the hot        beverages machine;    -   blocking the normal operation of the hot beverages machine in        case that the step of evaluating is negative;    -   pursuing the normal operation of the hot beverages machine in        case that the step of evaluating is positive;    -   whose main feature is that the recognition substance is located        inside the capsule.

Advantageously, a step is also provided of piercing the capsule in orderto carry out the steps of stimulating and reading.

Advantageously, a production step of the capsule is provided, said stepcomprising the steps of:

-   -   prearranging a main body of the capsule;    -   filling the main body with a predetermined food substance, for        example coffee;    -   introducing the recognition substance, by means of a permeable        support element (120), for example a perforated disc, in the        main body (110);

sealing the main body (110) by a sealing film (130).

In particular, the recognition substance can be applied by molding onthe permeable support element located above the substance food.

Alternatively, the recognition substance can be inserted directly in thematerial of which the permeable support element is made.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sealing film and/or the main bodycomprises at least one portion transparent to the optical signal emittedduring the step of stimulating and to the feedback optical signalemitted during the step of reading.

This way, the upper film of the capsule can allow reading and checkingthe recognition substance, not allowing at the same time theaccessibility to the recognition substance unless the capsule istampered with.

This way, therefore, it is possible to mark the capsule with arecognition substance which allows the process of optical recognitionabove described both to recognize capsules unsuitable for machineoperation both to recognize the specific capsule inserted.

Apart from being very versatile, the method described is also economicaland easily implemented on machines that have already been designed.

In particular, the step of piercing is made by a perforation unitcomprising at least one light guide.

Advantageously, the steps of stimulating and reading can be made throughthe punch pin arranged to pierce the capsule for injecting pressurizedhot water in the production process of the hot beverage in the machine.

Advantageously, the step of evaluating is positive if it occurs thecondition f₂≅B. In this case, the capsule is considered suitable if thefrequency of the feedback optical signal is the one expected.

Alternatively, or in combination, the step of evaluating is positive ifit occurs the condition t₂≅K. In this case, instead, the capsule isconsidered suitable if the time for transmitting the feedback opticalsignal is the one expected.

Advantageously, different conditions for the evaluation phase can beestablished, depending on the type of assessment you want to make. Forexample, you can change the range of acceptability of the frequencies atstake so you can determine the degree of accuracy of the selection.

In particular, a step is also provided of recognizing the capsulewherein the control unit detects a plurality of features of the capsuleon the basis of the step of acquiring the values of the frequency f₂and/or of the time frame t₂ of the feedback optical signal.

The conditions that cause the step of evaluating the suitability of thecapsule can then be both on the frequency both on the time fortransmitting the signal, or on a combination thereof, allowinggenerating a plurality of reference conditions that allow to extract bythe capsule many information and not only the basics information on thesuitability of the capsule.

For example, it is possible to detect the particular aroma contained inthe capsule and to set the production process for the hot beverage onthe basis of this information.

Advantageously, the frequencies f₁ and f₂ are different from each otherand belong alternatively:

-   -   to the visible range;    -   to the UV range;    -   to the infrared range.

In particular, the frequency f₁ belongs to the UV range and thefrequency f₂ belongs to the visible range. This can be obtained, forexample, using as recognition substance a substance with fluorescent orphosphorescent features. In this case it is also possible to use thetime for transmitting the feedback optical signal for access to manyinformation about the content of the capsule.

According to another aspect of the invention, a system for recognizingcapsules for hot beverages machines comprises:

-   -   a hot beverages machine comprising:        -   a light source arranged to emit an exciting optical signal            at a predetermined frequency and for a predetermined time            frame t₁=H;        -   an optical reader arranged to read a feedback optical signal            emitted at a frequency f₂ and for a time frame t₂;    -   a capsule arranged to be inserted in the machine;    -   said hot beverages machine arranged to emit the exciting optical        signal towards the capsule and to read the feedback optical        signal,    -   the main feature of the system being that the machine comprises        a control unit arranged to block the normal operation of the        machine in case that the values of the frequency f₂ and/or the        time frame t₂ do not meet predetermined conditions.

According to another aspect of the invention, a capsule for hotbeverages machines is marked with a recognition substance, saidrecognition substance arranged to emit an optical signal at apredetermined frequency B for a predetermined time frame K in responseto an excitation by an optical signal at a predetermined frequency A andfor a predetermined time frame H.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristic and/or advantages of the present invention aremore bright with the following description of an exemplary embodimentthereof, exemplifying but not limitative, with reference to the attacheddrawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatical view of the method for the opticalrecognition of capsules, according to the present invention;

FIG. 2A diagrammatically shows the step of stimulating the capsuleoperated by a dichroic mirror;

FIG. 2B diagrammatically shows the step of reading the feedback opticalsignal operated by a dichroic mirror;

FIG. 3A shows, in cross section, a first exemplary embodiment of thestep of piercing the capsule inside marked;

FIG. 3B shows, in cross section, a second exemplary embodiment of thestep of piercing the capsule inside marked;

FIG. 3C shows, in cross section, a third exemplary embodiment of thestep of piercing the capsule inside marked;

FIG. 3D shows, in cross section, a fourth exemplary embodiment of thestep of piercing the capsule inside marked;

FIG. 4 shows, in cross section, an exemplary embodiment of the steps ofstimulation and reading that provides a capsule having a transparentsealing film;

FIG. 5 graphically shows the trend with time of the exciting opticalsignals and of the feedback optical signal using two differentrecognition substances.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

In FIG. 1 a diagrammatical scheme 300 is shown that describes, accordingto the present invention, a possible embodiment of the steps of themethod for the optical recognition of capsules 100 for hot beveragesmachines.

After a first step of introducing the capsule 100 in the machine [301],there is a step of stimulating the capsule 100, wherein a light source210 emits an optical signal with a predetermined frequency f₁≅A and fora predetermined time frame t₁≅H [302].

If the capsule 100 is remarkable with the predetermined recognitionsubstance, it will respond to the optical signal received emitting afeedback optical signal at a frequency f₂≅B for a time frame t₂≅K.

In a preferred embodiment, the recognition substance has fluorescenceproperties, i.e. capable of re-transmitting an optical signal consistingof visible frequencies when it is excited with an optical signal havingfrequencies in the ultraviolet range.

In this exemplary embodiment, with reference even at FIGS. 2A and 2B,the machine has a dichroic mirror 230 arranged to result transparent tothe optical frequencies of the visible range (black arrows) and toreflect the optical frequencies of the UV range (white arrows). Thisway, it is possible to use also low cost light sources 210, whichnormally emit light signals that in addition to the required frequenciesUV contain also some unwanted visible frequencies. In this case, whenthe light source 210 will emit an optical bright signal comprising bothvisible and UV frequencies, only the UV ones are reflected towards thecapsule 100, causing excitation.

The feedback optical signal is a signal comprising both thepredetermined visible frequencies and the UV frequencies reflected andnot converted by the recognition substance. With reference to FIG. 2B,again the mirror dichroic 230 is transparent to the visible frequenciesand it will reflect the UV frequencies, sending back them towards thesource 210. Only the visible frequencies will then arrive to an opticalreader 220 that will initiate a step of reading the signal itself [303].The fact that the parasite UV frequencies are removed by the feedbackoptical signal ensures to the optical reader 220 a reading enoughaccurate also in case that you use a low cost reader.

The source 210 and/or the optical reader 220 need not necessarily to belocated near the capsule 100. The exciting and feedback optical signalscan be transported by respective optical fibers or, advantageously, by asingle optical fiber used in both the directions.

In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the recognition substance hasphosphorescent properties, and it is therefore arranged to send back afeedback optical signal that extends in time after the turning off ofthe exciting optical signal, normally for several millisecond. In thiscase, the optical reader 220 can start the step of reading the feedbackoptical signal only after that the exciting signal has been interrupted,avoiding interferences of unwanted reflected frequencies, without theneed of using the dichroic mirror. Such exemplary embodiment istherefore cheaper than the previous.

After a step of acquiring the values of the frequency f₂ and of the timeframe t₂ of the feedback optical signal [304], a control unit starts astep of evaluating the fulfillment of predetermined conditions on suchvalues [305]. If the capsule 100 was a capsule correctly marked, thevalues of f₂ and t₂ will satisfy the above described conditions,allowing the machine to proceed with its correct operation. Otherwise,the machine will be blocked, avoiding the production of the hotbeverage.

For example, in an exemplary embodiment previously described, where itis used a recognition substance with phosphorescent properties, thecontrol unit can evaluate the law with which there is the decay withtime of the feedback optical signal and test if the decay time respectsor not predetermined conditions. Such procedure can allow then totransmit a large number of information by appropriately changing therecognition substance and then the decay time of the feedback opticalsignal. In this case, the frequency of the exciting signal f₁ cancoincide with the frequency f₂ of the feedback signal.

In FIG. 4 is graphically shown the typical trend with time of theexciting and feedback optical signals. In particular, given a stepexciting signal having a time frame t₁, can be to seen as two differentsubstances A and B emit a feedback signals with different time framest_(2A) and t_(22B). Such, as above said, allows distinguishing thesubstances to each other.

In the FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D, are shown some possible exemplaryembodiments of the step of piercing the capsule 100 for carrying out thesteps of stimulating and reading.

In the FIGS. 3A and 3B the unit that provides to the steps ofstimulating and reading the substance located within the capsule 100implements even the perforation of the capsule, regardless of theperforator, not shown and located in another desired point, arranged tointroduce pressurized hot water in the production process for the hotbeverage.

In the FIGS. 3C and 3D the unit that provides to the steps ofstimulating and reading the substance located within the capsule isinstead housed inside of the same perforator 255 arranged to introducepressurized hot water in the production process for the hot beverage.

For mere exemplifying purposes, the recognition substance located insidehas a ring shape in FIGS. 3A and 3B and a point-shaped shape in FIGS. 3Cand 3D.

In particular, in FIG. 3A the perforation unit 250 comprises twoseparate light guides 251, consisting of two glass or plasticperforating rods, in optical connection with the relative componentslocated at short distances.

In FIG. 3B the perforation unit 250 comprises instead a single lightguide 251 comprising a single glass or plastic perforating rod, inoptical connection with the respective lighting/reading components,thanks to a suitable splitter of the two signals.

In FIG. 3C the perforation unit 250 comprises two separate light guides251, housed within the punch pin 255 arranged to introduce the hotwater, which allow to house the components of lighting/reading on themain electronic board, which is located in remote.

In FIG. 3D the perforation unit 250 comprises a single optical fiber251, housed within the punch pin 255 arranged to introduce the hotwater, and a suitable splitter of the 2 signals mounted on the mainelectronic board, which is located in remote.

In FIG. 4 the capsule 100 comprises a film 130 having at least onetransparent portion. In this exemplary embodiment, the steps ofstimulating and reading the inner marker are made through the lightsource 210 and the optical reader 220, without needing to perforate thefilm 130 itself.

In this exemplary embodiment, the light source 210 and the opticalreader 220 can be separated by a barrier 215 arranged to be placed incontact with the transparent portion 130′ in order to prevent that, incase of introducing a not suitable capsule having an illicit recognitionsubstance located on the outer surface of the film 130, the feedbackoptical signal can reach the optical reader 220.

The foregoing description some exemplary specific embodiments will sofully reveal the invention according to the conceptual point of view, sothat others, by applying current knowledge, will be able to modifyand/or adapt in various applications the specific exemplary embodimentswithout further research and without parting from the invention, and,accordingly, it is meant that such adaptations and modifications willhave to be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiments. Themeans and the materials to realize the different functions describedherein could have a different nature without, for this reason, departingfrom the field of the invention. It is to be understood that thephraseology or terminology that is employed herein is for the purpose ofdescription and not of limitation.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A capsule for use in a hot beveragemachine, the capsule comprising: a main body comprising a side wall, abottom wall and an upper edge, wherein the bottom wall is a continuousflat base that extends between a lower edge of the side wall a sealingfilm closing the upper edge to seal the main body, a permeable supportelement located in the main body and establishing: a first chamberpositioned above the permeable support element, wherein the firstchamber is bounded between the permeable support element, the side walland the sealing film, and a second chamber positioned below thepermeable support element, wherein the second chamber is bounded betweenthe permeable support element, the side wall and the bottom wall, a foodsubstance positioned in the second chamber, the food substance having atop surface, the permeable support element including a recognitionsubstance, the recognition substance being configured to emit an opticalsignal at a predetermined frequency B for a predetermined time frame Kin response to an excitation by an optical signal at a predeterminedfrequency A and for a predetermined time frame H; wherein the firstchamber is an empty open air space extending from the recognitionsubstance to the sealing film; wherein the recognition substance ispositioned on a top surface of the permeable support element; whereinthe permeable support element is positioned above the top surface of thefood substance to cover the food substance and position the recognitionsubstance above the top surface of the food substance and below thesealing film such that a top surface of the recognition substance facesthe sealing film, is open to the first chamber open air space and isoptically viewable in the first chamber open air space.
 2. The capsuleaccording to claim 1, wherein at least one chosen from the sealing filmand the main body includes at least one transparent portion arranged toallow the emission by the recognition substance of the optical signal atthe predetermined frequency B for the predetermined time frame K inresponse to the excitation by the optical signal at the predeterminedfrequency A and for the predetermined time frame H.
 3. The capsuleaccording to claim 2, wherein the permeable support element is shaped asa perforated disc.
 4. The capsule according to claim 2, wherein therecognition substance has fluorescent properties.
 5. The capsuleaccording to claim 2, wherein the recognition substance hasphosphorescent properties.
 6. The capsule according to claim 2, whereinthe recognition substance is inserted directly in a material of whichthe permeable support element is made.
 7. The capsule according to claim2, wherein the recognition substance is printed on the permeable supportelement.
 8. The capsule according to claim 3, wherein the recognitionsubstance has fluorescent properties.
 9. The capsule according to claim8, wherein the recognition substance has phosphorescent properties. 10.The capsule according to claim 9, wherein the recognition substance isinserted directly in a material of which the permeable support elementis made.
 11. The capsule according to claim 9, wherein the recognitionsubstance is printed on the permeable support element.
 12. The capsuleaccording to claim 1, wherein the permeable support element is shaped asa perforated disc.
 13. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein therecognition substance has fluorescent properties.
 14. The capsuleaccording to claim 1, wherein the recognition substance hasphosphorescent properties.
 15. The capsule according to claim 1, whereinthe recognition substance is inserted directly in a material of whichthe permeable support element is made.
 16. The capsule according toclaim 1, wherein the recognition substance is printed on the permeablesupport element.
 17. The capsule according to claim 12, wherein therecognition substance has fluorescent properties.
 18. The capsuleaccording to claim 17, wherein the recognition substance hasphosphorescent properties.
 19. The capsule according to claim 18,wherein the recognition substance is inserted directly in a material ofwhich the permeable support element is made.
 20. The capsule accordingto claim 18, wherein the recognition substance is printed on thepermeable support element.